7 Common Allergens You Should Know About

Have you ever tried holding plank position with a runny nose? Seriously, it's the worst.

And that's just one of the many reasons why allergy season is straight-up painful.

Even if you hibernate on high-pollen days, common allergens might be lurking around your house, causing red eyes and snot galore.

The best defense? A good offense. To prep your body to fight off symptoms faster and more effectively, experts recommend starting allergy medication (OTC or Rx) two weeks before you expect seasonal misery to kick in.

Since the sneezing season typically begins around late March, that means swallowing meds right about. . .now.

It's also a good idea to know exactly what you're up against.

Clifford Bassett, M.D., New York City allergist and immunologist, and Purvi Parikh, M.D., allergist and immunologist with the nonprofit Allergy & Asthma Network, says these common (though, TBH, unexpected!) allergens might be screwing with your sinuses.

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1Booze

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Alcohol widens blood vessels, allowing a flow of blood that further clogs congested sinuses. It also increases inflammation (your immune system's response to harmful invaders), which is already ratcheted up from battling pollen. Red wine and beer are the worst culprits because they're high in histamines, a chemical that can trigger a runny nose or sneezing.

The fix: Stick to lower-histamine liquors like vodka and gin, and if you're sneezy, limit your intake to one drink.

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2Produce

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Noshing certain fruits and veggies can worsen existing hay fever symptoms or add to your suffering by causing an itchy mouth or scratchy throat. People sensitive to grass can react to celery, peaches, and tomatoes; those who snuffle around ragweed are often set off by melons, bananas, and zucchini.

Bothered by birch? (It's one of the most common sneeze-inducing trees, according to the Allergy Foundation of America.) Cherries and carrots may make your tongue tingle. These are all examples of oral allergy syndrome, which happens because your immune system can't distinguish between similar proteins in the produce and pollen. The reaction is usually mild, ends within a few minutes of eating the offending food, and rarely leads to difficulty in breathing.

The fix: The proteins are most concentrated in fruit and vegetable skins and break down in heat, so peel produce or cook it until it begins to soften.

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3Decongestants

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OTC sprays, such as oxymetazoline, can help you breathe better by shrinking swollen blood vessels in your nasal passages. But if you spritz them for more than three days in a row, they can cause a rebound effect: The vessels that have been compressed will swell, making you—ugh—even more congested.

The fix: Use an antihistamine (like diphenhydramine or cetirizine) to relieve stuffy, puffy symptoms, along with a steroid nasal spray (such as fluticasone or budesonide) to target inflammation at the source. Still plugged up? See an allergist to discuss prescription meds.

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4Showers

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Morning ones, that is. Tiny pollen particles glom on to your skin and hair throughout the day (especially if you use sticky hair products like gels or sprays). By bedtime, you're surrounded by head-to-toe irritants that can cause you to sniffle more than sleep.

The fix: If switching from a.m. showers to nighttime ones doesn't mesh with your routine, add a quick evening rinse to de-pollinate. And on high-pollen days, ditch or limit hair products or throw on a hat.

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5Beds

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Along with daytime pollen, allergy-provoking dust (and if you sleep with a pet, dander) also gets trapped in your sheets.

The fix: Leave the bed unmade. Really—one controversial study suggests that pulling up the covers each morning traps those irritants in there, so being a little lazy could limit the number of dust mites (they thrive in humid conditions).

Other methods to ensure sneeze-free sleep: Ditch shoes at the front door to keep pollen out of the bedroom, wash sheets once a week in 120-degree water to kill dust mites, and use hypoallergenic bedding to reduce exposure to allergens.

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6Contact Lenses

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A full three-quarters of contacts wearers complain of allergen-related irritation. It makes sense—lenses are a magnet for clingy pollen particles, which can get trapped against your eye.

The fix: Glasses create a physical barrier between pollen and your eyes, but if you'd rather wear contacts, make sure to clean weekly or monthly lenses thoroughly. Even better: Switch to dailies and throw on some sunnies whenever you head outside.

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7House Plants

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Around 78 percent of hay fever sufferers are allergic to at least one common houseplant (ficus, ivy, and yucca are most likely to irritate). Bouquets of high-pollen flowers, such as sunflowers or daisies, can also mess with sinuses.

The fix: Prettify your space with trendy (and pollen-free!) succulents or low-pollen blooms such as roses or tulips.

This article originally appeared in the April 2018 issue of Women's Health Magazine. For more great advice, pick up a copy on newsstands now!

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